Stoney Ridge Estate Winery

Stoney Ridge Estate Winery is a Canadian winery located in Vineland, at the base of the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario's wine country. It was founded in 1986 as Stoney Ridge Cellars, becoming the 14th licensed winery in the then-fledgling Canadian wine industry. The winery began on the Weylie farm on Ridge Road in Stoney Creek — hence the name — with a small barn and garage serving as its retail boutique. Under winemaker Jim Warren and two business partners, its first vintage consisted of 500 cases across 11 different wines, all produced by hand. The founding commitment was to "make small amounts of the very best wine possible from Ontario Grapes." In 1989 Jim Warren formed a new partnership with Murray Puddicombe, a Winona grape and tender fruit farmer. The winery moved to a new facility just below the escarpment from the original location, upgraded with more sophisticated winemaking equipment, a new bottling line, and more tanks and barrels. Access to a wider selection of grapes allowed the portfolio to grow substantially. By 1997 the winery had won numerous awards and acclaim, with production reaching 26,000 cases annually across more than 60 wine products, and it moved once again to its current location in Vineland, central to Niagara wine country. In 2002 Stoney Ridge began refocusing its property toward the craft production of premium Niagara wine. With the addition of a Pinot Noir vineyard to the winery property, the name was changed to Stoney Ridge Estate Winery, reflecting a commitment to continue producing premium estate wines. Today the winery is known for producing 100% locally sourced, VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) wines. The winery has also operated in partnership with the Niagara Custom Crush Studio, described as Ontario's only custom crush winemaking facility, with wines available at that facility in Vineland. Stoney Ridge is also the producer of The Tragically Hip Wines, a branded wine line available at the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario). As of the official website's notice, Stoney Ridge is no longer affiliated with Niagara Custom Crush Studio, and online wine sales are temporarily paused, with direct sales expected to resume through the website in Spring 2026. During the pause, The Tragically Hip Wines remain available at the LCBO. The winery describes itself as looking forward to welcoming visitors to the new home of Stoney Ridge Wines.

Stoney Ridge Estate Winery traces its origins to 1986, when Stoney Ridge Cellars became the 14th licensed winery in the fledgling Canadian wine industry. The winery had inauspicious beginnings at the Weylie farm on Ridge Road in Stoney Creek — hence the name Stoney Ridge Cellars — consisting of a small barn and garage that served as a retail boutique. Under the direction of winemaker Jim Warren and his two business partners, Stoney Ridge's first vintage consisted of 500 cases of 11 different wines, produced entirely by hand. The founding commitment was to "make small amounts of the very best wine possible from Ontario Grapes." In 1989 Jim Warren formed a new partnership with Murray Puddicombe, a Winona grape and tender fruit farmer. The new facility was upgraded with more sophisticated winemaking equipment and was located just below the escarpment from the original location. With greater access to a wider selection of grapes, a new bottling line, and more tanks and barrels, the Stoney Ridge wine portfolio grew by leaps and bounds. By 1997 the winery's reputation had grown, winning numerous awards and acclaim. Production was at 26,000 cases annually with over 60 different wine products. The winery had moved once again to its current location in Vineland, central to Niagara wine country. In 2002 Stoney Ridge began refocusing the winery property toward the craft production of premium Niagara wine. With the addition of a Pinot Noir vineyard to the winery property, the winery name was changed to Stoney Ridge Estate Winery. This decision reflected the commitment to continue producing premium estate wines. In more recent years, the winery operated in partnership with the Niagara Custom Crush Studio, described as Ontario's only custom crush winemaking facility, with wines available at that state-of-the-art facility in Vineland. Stoney Ridge also became the producer of The Tragically Hip Wines, a branded line available at the LCBO. As of the official website's notice, Stoney Ridge is no longer affiliated with Niagara Custom Crush Studio, and online wine sales are temporarily paused, with direct sales expected to resume through the website in Spring 2026. During the pause, The Tragically Hip Wines remain available at the LCBO, and the winery looks forward to welcoming visitors to the new home of Stoney Ridge Wines.

• 2025

  Winery announces it is no longer affiliated with Niagara Custom Crush Studio and pauses online sales until Spring 2026.

• 2002

  Winery refocuses on premium Niagara wine; adds a Pinot Noir vineyard and changes name to Stoney Ridge Estate Winery.

• 1997

  Production reaches 26,000 cases annually with over 60 wine products; winery moves to Vineland.

• 1989

  Jim Warren partners with Murray Puddicombe; winery moves to a new facility below the escarpment with upgraded equipment.

• 1986

  Stoney Ridge Cellars becomes the 14th licensed winery in Canada; first vintage of 500 cases across 11 wines produced by hand.

One of Ontario's oldest wineries, committed to producing 100% locally sourced, VQA wines from Niagara grapes.

• VQA wines

  100% locally sourced wines certified by the Vintners Quality Alliance.

• Pinot Noir

  Estate Pinot Noir from the vineyard added to the winery property in 2002.

• The Tragically Hip Wines

  Branded wine line available at the LCBO.

1. 1Stoney Ridge Estate Winerystoneyridge.com
2. 2Our History – Stoney Ridgestoneyridge.com
3. 3Stoney Ridge Estate Winery – Wikidatawikidata.org